Abstract: A locating device for avalanche victims having a collapsible, balloon-like envelope having a release and drive means to expand said envelope, and having a connecting element to connect said locating device with the user is provided with at least two essentially rigid opening parts (3, 3′, 11), which are connected to said envelope (7), being movable relatively towards each other by spring power and are being held in their resting positions by means of a releasable locking means (5).